The Professional Beauty Association (PBA) is proud to announce the results of its first national poll regarding the regulation and licensing of cosmetologists. Conducted in December 2012, the poll showed that 94% of general election voters from across the United States overwhelmingly supported the required licensing of beauty professionals and feel these licenses protect the public and improve both the quality and safety in the beauty industry.

Results also showed that the public, prior to the poll, did not understand the connection between licensing and public health issues like lice and scalp disease. After being informed of the issues, 67% of voters said the connection was obvious when ensuring proper sanitation and cleanliness.

While support was very broad across the different demographics polled, the strongest support came from women, older voters, African Americans and voters with low household incomes. Key points learned from the survey include:

Eighty percent of voters understood that beauty professionals must attend school in order to receive a license. Voters were least likely to know that training in preventing the spread of disease was necessary, though 60% did identify it as a requirement.

Eighty-two percent of voters said that quality and safety would decline if states ended licensing and regulation in the beauty industry.

Ninety-four percent of voters support required licensing of beauty professionals.

Eighty-eight percent of voters believe that requiring licensing protects the public from possible infection and disease.

Overall, PBA's national licensing poll showed that voters understand the necessity of licensing beauty professionals. Poll numbers show that voters also understand that licenses and continued education help ensure proper cleanliness and sanitation practices in hair salons and spas, ultimately affecting the quality and safety of cosmetology practices.

Poll Methodology: Poll results are taken from the 2012 Penn Schoen Berland (PSB) National Post-Election Study. The study was conducted online from November 9-10, 2012 among n=1,202 Americans who voted in the 2012 presidential election. The margin of error for the study is +/- 2.83% at the 95% confidence level and larger for subgroups. Certain questions were split sampled to reduce respondent fatigue.